Confronting the Spirit of Jezebel

The following article is by Joseph Herrin regarding his personal testimony of confronting the Spirit of Jezebel, both in his own home and in the church.  While we have spoken about this topic many times on this blog, it still remains the most neglected and yet most deep-rooted stronghold in the churchworld.

Although this is simply one man's testimony, I am confident that it is not so unique.  The foundation of God's church is in patriarchal leadership, and until the men of God take seriously their calling to be leaders in the home and in the church, then the churchworld as a whole will continue to suffer the corruption of rotten fruit, perversion, and death.

Are you not ready to see the power & life of God pouring through you as a living witness to Christ for a dying world?  Are you not tired of Satan running roughshod over your children as he uses the snares of this world to entice, deceive, and destroy them?  Do you not long for the glory of the Church as seen when it was first birthed at Pentecost, turning the very known world upside down in its glory?  If so, then you must decide to sanctify yourself from that defiling spirit and wage war against it.

God is raising up a standard against the spirit of Jezebel.  Will you be part of that standard?

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Malachi 4:5-6

Power to Break the Shackles

I have written before about how I used to really like a song by Mary Mary called Shackles.  In the song, these women sing about how God has released the shackles off of their feet so that they can dance.  While it is a blessing to be able to dance for and before the Lord, I think what man needs most is the shackles broken off of his mind.

We can dance wholeheartedly before God and still be bound. Too many in the church have hindrances in the mind which prevents us from walking fully in the light/life with which God has called.  These can & must be dealt with by the power of God, for God is preparing His people at this hour for the days ahead.

This past night, I had a dream that I was in a shopping mall (which is strange for me as I hate shopping).  The store was filled with people buying this and that.  Then, a loud voice was heard.  It was like it was being spoken over a loud speaker, but it wasn't.  The timber & depth of the voice was extremely loud, but it was as if you were hearing it from inside yourself and it reverberated within your soul.  As I (and everyone else) turned to see who was speaking, there stood the Grim Reaper towering over the people with the machete held high in his hand.  The store erupted in agonizing screams as people ran everywhere looking for cover, but there was no place to hide.  This spirit of death marched on after the people and the fear from man was palpable. 

No Grim Reaper - Part 1

The following message is from the Omega Church & Ministries Center.  Although it is four years old, it is very relevant for today.  I was reminded of this article via a dream I had last night, and am posting part one here for the edification of others (part two is also available).

The interesting thing is that various members would write articles for the Omega newsletters and I happened to write the Grim Reaper articles in the summer of 2007.  By the end of that year, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.   I am just now realizing that connection.

However, the thing to keep in mind is that we must be prepared to stand on God's word.  When we decide to proclaim His words, Satan will come to tempt us, to see if we really believe what we have proclaimed...and God will let him, so that we can prove & grow our faith in the trial.  I could write and say that Christians have nothing to fear about death, but what will I do when my own life is threatened? 

I pray that while proclaiming His truths, you will also pray to God to have those truths become life to your soul.  Never let your circumstances or doubts/fears rob you of what God has already planted in your soul.  Meditate on His words and let His life blossom forth within you so that what you do & say becomes merely an extension of who you are in Christ, and not just shallow dead works.

God is faithful to do all that He has promised.  Trust Him.  He will never let you done.  His words are a sure foundation.

"When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Psalms 126:1-6

The Spirit of Death

For centuries the world has portrayed the spirit of death as the Grim Reaper, a hooded figure in all black brandishing a scythe. This depiction originated from the tale of the Titan Cronus, the Greek god of the harvest. According to mythology, Cronus hated his father, and his mother (Gaia) was able to use this to her advantage. In an attempt to sever her relationship with his father, Gaia convinced Cronus to castrate him and provided a sickle to accomplish the task. Once Cronus had done this, he become god over creation and in turn began to devour his own children in order to protect his throne.

No Grim Reaper - Part 2

The following message is part two of a newsletter from the Omega Church & Ministries Center.  I was reminded of this article via a dream I had last night, and am posting it here for the edification of others.

In the last issue of The Omega Times, we discussed the root, response, and consequence of patriarchal rebellion. We examined how the doctrine of a Jezebel spirit inspires hatred of a father by encouraging disrespect for patriarchy.

When people choose their own way, come against rightful authority, and seek to do things opposed to the word of God, it is because they hate the image of a father. Sin is personal to God, whether we realize it or not. God stated it this way, "And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." (I Samuel 8:7)

God's response is to send forth the spirit of Elijah to confront this Jezebel doctrine. Just as in the days of Elijah, God will call on the people to make a choice - if the Lord be God, then serve Him. If Baal, then serve him. What is the precursor to this point of decision? A supernatural display of power. It must be shown once and for all who God really is so that the faith of man may be established, not in word but in a demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

The time of harvest is a volatile time, a time of decision and of war. In this edition of the newsletter, we will look at the steps the Church must take in order to prepare for the harvest.

Spiritual Warfare Against Dark Spirits

Artwork by JBarts.com.  Please visit & support
this Christian artist.

The following message from Russ Dizdar of Shatter the Darkness is on how to walk in the freedom and power of Christ (and bring others to it).  He reviews:

• Demonic attacks can come from outside of a person.  In such cases, we can stand on and speak the word of God against that oppression which often come in the form of involuntary feelings, thoughts, etc.
• Uncontrolled anger can give the devil a legal foothold (an attachment) to latch on to a person and launch demonic attacks.
• Another type of demonic influence is when demons possess a person.  Only turning in faith to Christ can break such a hold in a person's life.  God has given Christians the authority to bind and cast out those demons in the name of Jesus.  Don't back away or back down from such manifestations.
• The Book of Acts is the best end time training manual on how to deal with unclean spirits and lead others to Christ.
• We are the midst of the largest wrapping up of manifest dark presence worldwide and biblical prophecy indicates that we must be fully sanctified to the Kingdom of God to wage war against it.

Search Me

I watched someone recently try to present the Gospel to an unbeliever while at the same time reassuring them that they have no desire to "judge" them.  "No, we are not supposed to judge", they said, "We are only supposed to present the Gospel."

It was torturous to see.  They were trapped in a religious loop of trying to demonstrate the person's need for Jesus while at the same time not convicting of sin so as not to seem "judgmental".

People, the presence of sin is the very reason why we all need Jesus so desperately because it is such which separates us from God.  We cannot separate salvation from the essence of that from which we are being saved (Romans Chapters 5-8).  If we do not judge ourselves as sinners, then we will never see the need for Christ.

Even churchfolks these days are adopting a "You can't judge" stance, although such is completely unBiblical.  The only reason others say, "You can't judge me." is because they assume that everyone else is a sinning hypocrite like themselves.  And I am saying that with as much "love" as I can muster.

I Knew You

The following is a message from Pastor Zac Poonen as he discusses what it means for God to have ordained not only the course of our lives, but even our very existence.

While this Scripture is a good reminder when we are in the midst of trials, what I love about the message is how Pastor Poonen addresses the human frailties we often let limit us with God.  If God has called us, then He has indeed equipped us to do everything He sets before us.  It is only when we look to our own strength that we feel weak and incapable for the task at hand.

It is also interesting to note that the process which is used to establish God's word in the nations is the same as what is used to establish God's word in our minds & hearts.  Oftentimes, new Christians are not prepared for the extreme renovation which will occur in their inner man as they submit to Christ.  In sin, our way of thinking, our feelings, and even our perceptions are largely defiled.  We must learn to "pluck up, break down, destroy, overthrow" every old way so that the word of God can begin to "build and plant" a new and living way in our souls; it is how we are made new creatures in Christ.  Yet even in this process, God has already ordained the path and is leading us towards victory...if we but follow Him.
 

The Lord called Jeremiah when he was a young man (Jeremiah 1:5, 6) and said to him, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I consecrated you and appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

God knew Jeremiah even before his body was formed in his mother’s womb.  There is a lot of dispute nowadays about whether an embryo is a human being or not.  Here is a verse that should clear that doubt forever - because God says He knew Jeremiah before he was formed.  When Jeremiah was a microscopic speck in his mother’s womb, God knew him and consecrated him to be a prophet.

That is a great encouragement for us - to know that God had His eye on us even when we were just microscopic specks just conceived in our mother’s wombs. He has a plan for our lives just as He had a plan for Jeremiah.

Just imagine, when Jeremiah went through all those difficulties, how this thought must have encouraged him: “I am facing a lot of difficulties right now. But God knew me when I was in my mother’s womb and He planned my life then. And that plan will be fulfilled. I am going to yield to God utterly.” All of us too should think about that whenever we face trials and difficulties. God chose you before you were born and His plan for your life will be fulfilled. So don’t ever get discouraged.

Transition

transition: movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change.

Last Saturday night, I had a dream that Google suspended all of my accounts (Youtube, this Blog, etc.) due to content stating that homosexuality is a sin.  In the dream, when I tried to reestablish the accounts, God told me not to.  He said that it was time to "transition" to the next thing He had for me.

I can remember a time before when God told me that within a year I would no longer have the job I held.  In response, I started training one of my team members to take over and manage the team.  Six months later, I was laid off.

The funny thing is that, when I was first informed that I was being let go, I was momentarily stunned.  As I started to question my supervisor, God spoke to me and said, "I told you that you were going to be out of this job."  I then remembered the word of the Lord and had peace in that situation.  Hopefully I have learned a little better since then how to hold on to God's words and not be moved by the things of this world (especially when He takes time to forewarn us). 

WHAT Was Crucified at Calvary?

The following sermon is from Pastor Gary C. Price and is called, "What Was Crucified at Calvary?" 

We know that Jesus came as the second Adam to crucify the old sin nature which man was born with as a result of the fall.  However, Scripture also makes plain what exemplifies that nature and Pastor Gary C. Price reviews these texts in order to show exactly what was crucified on the cross.

• The forbidden fruit was a forbidden nature.  Eve and Adam ingested the fruit or words of Satan and became a partaker of his defiled nature.
• God's answer is to kill off that nature via crucifixion.
• Religion creates a holding tank for you to indulge your lusts without being crucified.  It was instituted by man to make him think he is serving God when he is not.
• Most churchfolk are not saved; they are just churchfolk.  The devil has learned the church game.
• The way to be safe from deception is to know the real.
• Satan couldn't come to the head (Adam) to deceive, so he used the weaker vessel (Eve) to destroy Godly headship.  The devil can only rule through abdication by men.
• The spiritual legacy birthed in the Garden of Eden (when Adam abdicated authority to Eve) can be seen historically throughout the Scriptures, culminating in the harlot and the beast we see in the book of Revelation.

Prayer for Others

This last message in Min. David Pawson's series on prayer addresses praying for others or intercessory prayer.

• When we intercede for others, we are completing a circuit between Heaven and earth for God's power to flow on that person's behalf.
• Angels are also involved in the circle of power in intercessory prayer.
• Why we pray for others.  Our motives for prayer can get so mixed up that prayer can be perverted by self-interest.
• We also must be careful not to pray at others due to self-righteousness.  It can be easy to preach in our prayers at others who we feel are "not as spiritual" as ourselves. 
  
  

Prayer By Myself

A message from Min. David Pawson on the importance of secret prayer, praying by one's self.

• The secret of religion is religion in secret.
• In theory, having a secret life of prayer should be the easiest thing to do. 
• By nature we are blind and deaf to the Lord and we must learn to communicate without relying on our senses.
• In most things that we learn, we have to learn them as a duty before they become a delight.
• Let your feelings be hooked unto your faith; don't let your faith be hooked unto your feelings.
• When we persist in prayer out of love & obedience to God, we can come to the point where hindsight proves He was there all along.
• The more relaxed with, and related to, God we are in prayer, the more we are aware of His presence in the spirit.
• If you are having issues with being aware of the presence of God when you pray, ask Him to fill you with His Spirit.
• There is a level of prayer which is not limited by bodily senses or mental deduction, but is made real by spiritual awareness.

Prayer With the Saints

The following message is from Min. David Pawson's series on prayer and addresses corporate prayer:

• There is no such thing as private prayer for a Christian.  The very minimum in prayer for a Christian is four: Father, Son, Spirit, and yourself.
• Once you become a Christian you cease to be an individual and you become a member of the Body of Christ. (Isn't that wonderful?!  People spend all of their lives trying not to be alone and in Christ we never have to be, even is no one else is physically with us.)
• This is why Jesus said that when we enter into our prayer closet to pray to the Father in secret say, "OUR Father..."; "give US..."; "lead US"; and "deliver US". (Matthew 6:6-13)
• All prayer is therefore corporate prayer, even when you are physically alone.  Yet, it is also important to pray together with other Christians.
• There is a Biblical basis for praying together.  In the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation, there is more about praying with the saints than praying by yourself.  The promises in the Gospels are nearly all to people praying together.  The practice in Acts is nearly always praying to together.  The precepts in the Epistles are nearly always about praying together.  The predictions in Revelation are about people praying together.

Prayer Without Hindrances

The following message from Min. David Pawson addresses how to pray with hindrances.  I have been blessed by all of these messages, but especially this one.  I hope you can take some time to listen.

• For months Job wasn't getting through to God and he believed that he was in the right and that God was in the wrong in letting him suffer.  When you don't get any answers from God, stop arguing with Him and you might find that He can then bless you.
• Many of the difficulties we have in prayer are of our own making.
• There is one basic problem in prayer: unanswered prayer.  Not that you don't get what you ask, but you don't get any reply; when the Heavens feel like brass.  All other issues in prayer are related to this.
• Psalms is filled with such phrases as: "Answer me...Incline your ear...Hear my prayer....Hear my cry!"

Prayer Through the Son

The following message from Min. David Pawson is about how we are to pray to the Father through His Son Jesus Christ:

• Christians are the only ones who can call God Father.
• Christian prayer cannot mix with any other type of prayer because it is not like any other type of prayer.
• The main difference between religion and Christianity is Jesus Christ. Because of this, Christians have five things in prayer that no one else has:
• The teachings of Christ for our prayer
• The example of Christ to follow in our prayer
• The blood of Christ to plead in our prayer
• The intercession of Christ to rely upon with our prayer
• The name of Christ to use during our prayer
• Jesus taught the disciples how to pray as well as what to pray.
• In terms of how to pray, Jesus taught:
• Pray with sincerity.
• Pray with simplicity.
• Pray with humility.
• Pray with tenacity.
• Pray with intensity.
• Pray with charity.
• Pray with unanimity.

Prayer in the Spirit

So many people do not understand what it means to pray in the Spirit.  This message from Min. David Pawson breaks this down from the Scriptures.

• Prayer is not a natural thing to the flesh and we don't know how to pray as we ought.
• One of the main functions of the Holy Spirit is to help us in how to pray.
• Praying in the Spirit is an added dimension to all prayer and supplication.
• The Holy Spirit is the divine letter writer; He takes what we want to say but cannot express or put to words and gets it out on our behalf.
• Prayer in the Spirit has two distinct aspects:
• The Holy Spirit takes over your mind, giving you the right thoughts, which you have the responsibility to express.
• The Holy Spirit does not use your mind at all, but takes over your mouth, and it is your responsibility to move your mouth and tongue.
• Both of these kinds of prayer are praying in the Spirit.

Praying Against the Devil

Another message in Min. David Pawson's series on prayer.  This message deals with praying against the devil.

• Sometimes it is harder to pray as a Christian than as an unbeliever.
• Satan hates Christian prayer because that is what affects him.
• Don't underestimate the devil and don't treat him as a joke.
• Never pray against people because we war not against flesh & blood.
• The Bible does not portray the devil as a horned creature with a forked tail.
• The Bible portrays the devil as a real person with a heart, mind, and will; he is not simply a generic force of evil.
• Every rebellion against God can be traced back to one motive: the desire to say "mine" (of ourselves) instead of "Thine" (of God). 
• Satan is the god of this world, and he is the one most people in the world worship...whether they know it or not.
• God allows Satan to be the god of this world., because He gives His creation freedom to rebel.
• A true Christian takes the devil very seriously.

Praying to God

A message from Min. David Pawson about prayer to the Father.

• For a Christian, prayer is never private.
• For a Christian, prayer is not meditation, but conversation.
• Prayer is simple.  It is a child telling his Father what he needs.
• Prayer is a privilege.
• Our goal should be to develop a relationship with God and not ritual for God via prayer.
• For many, prayer is a matter of fortune; but for Christians it is a matter of faith.
• Seven requirements for praying in faith:
• I must believe that God is there.  The Bible is indifferent to whether you "feel" He is there or not, but you must have faith.
• I must believe that God is personal; that He is someone and not something. 
• I must believe that God hears me.
• I must believe that God will listen to my prayer.
• I must believe that God will reply.
• I must believe that God can act and that prayer can changes things as well as people.
• I must believe that God will give what we ask for.
  
• Don't try and "feel" your faith.
• Don't try and force your faith.
• Stimulate your faith by listening to other answers to prayer and reading the Bible.
• Stretch your faith by praying within your faith.
• Your faith needs to meet God's Fatherhood.

Evolution & the New World Order

Message by Pastor Mike Hoggard about the religion of evolution and its impact on the future of mankind.  By way of background, Pastor Mike goes into more detail about occult efforts at genetic evolution in the message The Mother of All Secrets.

• Is evolution supported in Scripture?
• People prefer to believe in evolution because it lets them believe that there is no God.
• God created all things for His pleasure and through the born again process, God recreates man for His pleasure.
• The "science" of evolution is in actuality mysticism and religion.
• Evolution is not about where we came from in the minds of its promoters, but where we are going.
• H.P. Blavatsky taught that "ascended masters" were responsible for man's evolution and will come down from Heaven once more to guide mankind into a phase of divine living: godhood.
• The serpent planted his corrupt seed and defiled man's genetic make-up by the words (seed) he spoke to Eve.
• Jesus says that in the day of His return, it will be like the days of Noah. This references the devolution of man which - as a result of this mixing with the seed of man (Genesis 6: 2-4; Daniel 4:23) - leads him to turn away from God's truth, prompting God to give man over to a reprobate mind (II Thessalonians 2:11-12).

Prayer of Deliverance

From the Sodomite Spirit

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves..."  II Timothy 3:1-2a

Most people, including most church people, do not truly understand why we need to be born again.  They know THAT we have to be born again, but they don't know WHY.

The truth is that fallen man in his natural state possesses the spirit of a sodomite.  It is a selfish spirit which only loves itself.  This is not about sexual acts.  The act of homosexuality is merely the outward manifestation of self-love; being so in love with yourself that you can only join with that which is just like yourself.  What I am speaking of is the nature of a sodomite.  One can possess the nature of a sodomite and never engage in homosexual activity.

Don't Believe the Devil

He's a Liar!

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."  II Corinthians 10:4-5

You would think that the statement, "Don't believe the devil!" is a no-brainer.  I mean, it is common sense, right?  Who in their right mind would believe such a liar?  Yet, many times we do just that.  We let his lies permeate our souls, distort our reality, and disempower us for the Kingdom of God.

Years ago while I was pregnant with my first child, I had a car accident while on the way to church.  I somehow mis-steered a turn and wound up crashing into a tree at the front of our subdivision.  I seemed to black out for a minute or so, but when I came to, immediately Satan said to me, "You had better not go back to that church again.  If you do I will kill you."

So, I didn't go back...at least not for a while.  I determined that I could find another church which was preaching the truth.  However, this never happened because that had been the church God intended for me.  So instead, I found myself drifting further and further away from the Lord, becoming increasingly discouraged.

Set Apart Femininity

"What is the secret to great living? Entire separation to Christ and devotion to Him. Thus speaks every man and woman whose life has made more than a passing flicker in the spiritual realm. It is the life that has no time for trifling that counts."  Amy Carmichael

We spoke before about the need for a return to virtuous womanhood in the way we raise our daughters, but the following message is something which every young girl should hear.  This message, "Set Apart Femininity" is from Leslie Ludy of Set Apart Girl as she talks about the importance for young girls to understand what it means to be set apart for Jesus Christ.

This is an important & precious message for both young and older women alike!

• It is very easy in American culture - even for Christian young women - to get caught up in trivial pursuits that are not of eternal value.
• You can grow up in a Christian home, know all the right "Christian" answers, look like the perfect "Christian" girl, and still have a life that is all about you.
• The question in true Christianity is not, "How far can I go to the edge of the cliff before it is considered sin?"  It is, "How far can I go to glorify God, bring honor to His name, get closer to Him, and let others see His life through me?"

The Problem Is

You Think That Is Love

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27:6

When someone says, "I can't live without you.  You are my everything."...

When people appear caught up in what you say, what you do, and what you are going through...

When acquaintances prefer to tell you 'smooth things' rather than hurt your feelings with the truth...

When a person gives you what you want and appears to deny you nothing...

When others pay attention to you and seem to make you the center of their world...

When folks only applaud you and never tell you that you're wrong...

You think THAT is love; but it is not.

No More Rejection

Get About the Father's Business

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." Ephesians 1:6

If God can touch and move a young girl like this to PREACH with such passion, then there is surely nothing He cannot do.  I haven't seen such common sense even amongst some adults.

Many of the problems weighing down the Body of Christ have to do with a spirit of rejection. Satan makes sure that most experience rejection at an early age with the intent of crippling them for most of their lives. Yet, through Jesus Christ we no longer have to be crippled...unless we choose to be.

It is our choice to believe the lies of Satan OR to believe the truths from God our Father. I don't care what people say, what circumstances imply, or what your "feelings" tell you. Whose report will you believe?

How long will you allow yourself to grovel on the ground in self-pity as the devil kicks more dirt in your face?  Determine to hold on to the truths of God and He will not only give you the strength to stand, but to overcome the enemy.

Oh Holy Day!

As I drove through the neighborhood this week, there were lots of decorated houses.  Some still with Halloween themes, some with Fall/Thanksgiving scenes, and some with Christmas decor.

My son asked, "Which is the most important holiday?"

I replied, "I don't understand what you mean son?"

Then he elaborated, "Which holiday is most important to God?"

As I thought about it for a minute, I had to say, "None of them.  God doesn't care about these holidays.  He cares about how we live every day.  Are we obeying Him every day and living for Him every day?  These 'holidays' are created by man and for man, based on what he thinks should be commemorated."

"That's not true!" he said.  "Thanksgiving is about God and being thankful for God, so that is an important holiday."

"Where did you hear that?  At School?"  I asked him.  "Is Thanksgiving in the Bible? Is Christmas?  Is Halloween?" I told him that if he wants to know what is most important to God, then he needs to look to God's word.

I also explained how Thanksgiving came to be; that people from England came here, but the long voyage and subsequent harsh winter caused half of them to die within the first 6 months.  I shared how the Native Americans living here taught them how to live off the land and grow crops, which was essential to their survival.  So we acknowledge as the first Thanksgiving the autumn harvest feast they had as a result of those crops.  I also of course shared how European settlers later branded Native Americans as savages, drove them from their lands, and slaughtered many of them almost to the point of extinction.  Happy Turkey Day indeed!

Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!

"But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." Acts 4:17-19

I saw an interesting article today on a football player named Tim Tebow.  Now, I know nothing about this man and do not follow sports at all.  However, it seems that he is continually bringing up his relationship with Jesus Christ and giving Jesus the glory every time the opportunity is presented.  As a result, it is making some people very uncomfortable, and even angry; one being former player Jake Plummer who had the following to say:

"Tebow, regardless of whether I wish he'd just shut up after a game and go hug his teammates, I think he's a winner and I respect that about him. I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ, then I think I'll like him a little better. I don't hate him because of that, I just would rather not have to hear that every single time he takes a good snap or makes a good handoff."

What about all of the self-exalting grandstanding that is done by ball players?  Does any of this offend?  The pounding on the chest, the dancing in the end zone, the jumping into the stands, the showboating in the interviews...  None of the flesh on display apparently bothers Plummer, but name the name of Jesus and he sees red.

Do you see how slick the devil is?  Satan will even cater to your ego in an attempt to get you to deny Christ. "See, I like YOU Tebow.  You're a winner!  It's just this Jesus guy that is the problem.  We would all like you even more if you just stop talking about Him." 

How blatantly "in your face" the hatred for Jesus Christ has become.  By comparison, if Tebow was a Muslim giving thanks continuously to Allah, such a comment would have never been made for the sake of "religious tolerance".   And Allah is a false god!  People are more respectful these days to idols than to the True & Living God.

When it comes to Jesus, it is a small thing for him to be accursed and mocked in the streets.  Even His very name is offensive because the soul of man knows instinctively that Jesus is God.

Psychopathology at its Ultimate

Why Civilizations Decay

psychopathology: a pathological deviation from normal behavior, psychosis; the study of psychological and behavioral dysfunction occurring in mental disorder or in social disorganization.

Nothing speaks so clearly to the fact that God alone is the Creator of all than to see what happens to man when he turns away from God.

If there is no God, then man in his most vile state should still be able to flourish from a societal perspective...but this has never happened.  It is historical fact that every culture which turns from God's ways begins a slope of moral decay which precedes its own impending death.  What is the leading predictor of this decline?  A society's views on sex.

The Bible describes fornication and homosexuality as abhorrent, abnormal, and an abomination.  Yet society says these things are normal.  Who are we to believe and how do we know that which is true?

Even if one does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the truth is evident through the lens of history.  Every time society begins to accept & promote sexual deviancy, that society begins a spiraling march towards its own death; this alone shows that such behaviors are not "normal".  

You Love Me Anyway

I heard this song today for the first time and was so touched by the words that I thought it might be a blessing to others.

The question was raised as my conscience fell
A silly, little lie
It didn’t mean much, but it lingers still
In the corners of my mind

Still you call me to walk on the edge of this world
To spread my dreams and fly
But the future’s so far my heart is so frail
I think I’d rather stay inside

But You love me anyway
It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known
Yes You love me anyway
Oh Lord, how You love me
How You love me

Do We REALLY Believe

That Jesus is THE Answer?

So much time is spent discussing any number of topics in Christianity.  Yet, most of the books in the Christian section of the bookstore can be replaced with one word.  Even though we may say we believe it, do we really believe that Jesus is the answer?

What is the answer to a troubled marriage? Jesus.

What is the answer to lack of finances?  Jesus.

What is the answer to children gone astray?  Jesus.

What is the answer to sin?  Jesus.

What is the answer to sickness?  Jesus.

Omega Ministries Fellowship Meetings

Omega Church & Ministries Center is having a set of meetings in Atlanta, GA from January 6th -8th, 2012.

The meetings will facilitate fellowship amongst those who interact with the ministry as well as equip such persons to minister themselves as part of a worldwide outreach. 

Dates:   January 6-8, 2012
Location:  Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Marriott Hotel, 1 Hartsfield Centre Pkwy., Atlanta, Georgia 30354
Cost:   $100.00/person over 17 years old.  Food will also be provided on Friday night & Saturday evening.

For those coming from out of town, a rate of $89/night has been secured for the two nights.   You may make your reservation by calling the hotel at 404-209-9999 (1-888-391-8724).

For more details, please see the attached document.   You may register by going to the Omega Ministries website.

Come BACK to the Father's Love

Do you find it hard to receive the love of God?   Do you condemn yourself because of past sins and count yourself unworthy to be loved by Him?  Are you performing many "good works", but still doubting that Jesus died for you as a personal expression of the Father's love specifically for you?

Don't let this day go one moment further without understanding that God loves you.

It is not a selfish love, which is based on what you can do for Him.

It is not a soulish love that has to be worked up in the flesh.

It is not a deceitful love which pretends that you are just fine in your sin.

It is not a fleeting love, which is here one moment and gone the next.

STILL Alive

And STILL Changing Lives

Hallelujah!!!

The REAL 99%

Image made by Dr. Anthony Bradley

Who Minds Earthly Things?

"Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest." Luke 10:2

Dr. Anthony Bradley's recent social commentary contrasting the "99%" of the Occupy movement with those impoverished in Africa has created somewhat of a stir.

The juxtaposition I suppose is to bring to mind how even the poorest in America often live better than many in other parts of the world.  It also reveals how a lifestyle of privilege and entitlement (comparatively) can skew one's perception of reality, justice, and oppression.

However, there is another "99%" which has much more eternal weight and which should be the primary focus of the people of God.

That is the 99% of those who do not know Jesus Christ.

You MUST Be Strong!

God is Calling You to Rebuild the Walls

Too many Christians are struggling with an attitude of defeat in their Christian walk, unable to gain the victory over the enemy in areas where Jesus tells us that we have already been given the victory!

The following message is from Min. Eric Ludy entitled. "A Man of White Knuckles".

He is speaking about the prophet Nehemiah and how the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem reflects the rebuilding many Christians must still do to shore up the temple of their bodies.  That sermon is followed by an examination of the Hebrew war cry "Rak Chazak".

If you listen and really take heed to this message, it will change your life.

• Only a moment of yielding to the flesh can result in dullness & weakness of the spirit.
• You cannot afford to accept dimnishment of your spiritual life.  If you ever feel that dimness of your spiritual heart, you grip your sword harder and refuse to let go until it passes.
• The enemy is monitoring your soul, looking for a breach in the wall in which to take advantage of it.
• Your body is the temple of the Lord, but if there is not a wall built up around your temple (as in Nehemiah), the enemy will make your temple miserable.
• If you are still vulnerable to the enemy in areas of sin in spite of having a relationship with God, it is because there is a breach in your soul which needs to be fixed.

Teach Me to be a Witness

Dear Lord,

Teach me what it means to be a witness to your love, your truth, and your glory.  Let every aspect of my life be given in service to you, for you to do with as you please.

Let me not look to myself in doing this work, but may my eyes remain primarily & continually on you; knowing that you are faithful to complete it.  Give me the mind of Christ so that my ears, heart, and mind are always open to receive from you.

Help me to discern between when You are moving me versus when it is the flesh or unclean spirits of this world.  Please keep me from inordinate soul ties which seek to bring me into bondage to others' expectations, doubts, lusts, or sins.

Make me whole in every way so that I can be wholly/holy dedicated to you. 

Jesus, keep me mindful that:

The Future of Christianity?

"And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to REPENT: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." Acts 17:26-31

My children attend a Christian school...and these days that has less and less meaning.  A few of the students went to visit Berea College last month, which claims to have a wonderful Christ-based program.  Not only that, but they are able to provide full scholarships for their students, making their college education tuition-free.  The students spoke so highly of their visit, that I added this to the list of colleges we are considering for our own children.

However, we must remember that there is "another Jesus, another gospel, and another spirit" which seeks to deceive people and lead them away from the True & Living God (II Corinthians 11:4).  Anyone can claim to be a servant of Jesus Christ, but to which "Jesus" are they referring, and how do we know?

Blind Faith & Heart

Focus on Jesus!

"If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." Proverbs 24:10

Sometimes, we reach a point where all we have left is blind faith and heart.

Blind faith because we are so focused that all we see is our goal, and everything else fades to the background (Matthew 6:22).

Heart because our flesh may tell us that we cannot proceed, but the spirit is willing and urging us to go further still (Matthew 26:41).

When our eyes tell us that the giants who oppose us are stronger than we are; when our flesh tells us that we have given all we have and there is nothing more to give; make your eye single and set your face like a flint to move forward for God has already given you the land. 

Your deliverance is nigh, if you but keep the faith.

We Are Legion

Unifying the World

"For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many." Mark 5:8-9

Since I last wrote about "Occupy", it has become a global phenomenon.  Increasingly, there has been news of violent and perverse activities being associated with this movement.  There are reports of everything from molestation, public acts of indecency, assault, and destruction of property.

Those who reject Christ do not believe that He is soon
returning to judge the world, but that this time
represents a "new beginning" without consideration
of a Sovereign, Omnipotent God (Psalms 2:1-3).

In the past week, "Occupy D.C." is accused of knocking down an elderly man and pushing an elderly woman down a flight of stairs. "Occupy San Diego" defaced food carts - one splattered with blood & urine - when the vendors stopped handing out free food to the protestors.  Such acts of self-centered entitlement with a complete disregard for the well-being of others illustrates the mindset of anarchists.

anarchist: a person who advocates the abolition of government and a social system based on voluntary cooperation.

The anarchist doesn't want anyone telling him what to do.  He only desires to do what he "wants to" or "feels like" doing.  He therefore rejects any authority outside of his own will.  It matters not what type of authority or government it is; he despises anything that puts restraint on the old, carnal nature.

"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities."  II Peter 2:9-10

The Bloodline of the Beast

The following message from Pastor Mike Hoggard is entitled "The Bloodline of the Beast".  

• We are seeing the apostasy taking place right before our eyes
• What it means for Satan to be subtle and how mass marketing is being used to teach occult doctrines.
• The seed of the woman (Jesus Christ), the seed of the serpent (the Man of Sin), and the esoteric doctrine of a divine bloodline.
• The idea of Kundalini is that there is a serpent at the base of your spine which wants to ascend the "tree" or spine of man, touching the pineal gland to give illumination that man is god.
• The new age (and other occult movements) believe that we must be born again, but they promote a 'birth' based in the corruptible seed of man's will power or mind.
  

Subliminal Subversion

In the following video, Pastor Mike Hoggard addresses the following:

• How the subconscious mind works to pick up subliminal messages (also called perception without awareness).
• How a number of subliminal messages in mass media address the ideal of "as above so below" which speaks to man becoming a god in his own right; often involving a yielding to or collaboration with a higher/alien race.
• What the letters "INRI" - which are often featured above an image depicting the crucifixion of Christ  - really represent.
• Why born-again man needs to be crucified with Christ.
  

Woe, Woe, Woe, Woe Feelings

Get OUT of Your Feelings!

It is not uncommon when correcting my children or telling them to do something that they will start telling me about their 'feelings'.  One of my more common responses is, "It is not about how you 'feel'." They must learn to move beyond their 'feelings'.

This is something even many adults don't understand because it goes directly against the philosophy of this world.  The world will tell you that 'feelings' convey deep spiritual truths about your condition which should be explored, evaluated, and heeded.  This is a deception.  Oftentimes, your feelings can be deceitful and work against your own well-being.

If I give in to the fact that I don't 'feel' like going to work, then I may very well may find myself out of a job.  If I don't 'feel' like cleaning the house, then it is likely we will be living in a pig's pen.  If I don't 'feel' like cooking, then my family may develop a substandard diet potentially causing obesity or poor health.  If I don't 'feel' like praying then I may find myself unaware of God's will for me that day.  If I don't 'feel' like studying the word, then I might find myself drifting away from the Lord and back into the flesh.  If we went by what we 'feel' then we probably wouldn't do 95% of what God wants us to do.

Yet, there are professing Christians who literally wallow in their feelings.  One minute they are up, they next they are down.  One moment they are hopeful, the next they are pessimistic.  Now they are emboldened for the Lord, but later they are filled with fear.  Not one time do they stop to think about the inspiration behind their feelings.  Instead they simply give in to their 'feelings' and conform their reality to them.

As a result, they live as if on an emotional roller coaster...and they expect you to go along for the ride!  Not me.  I'm not going to cater to someone's soulish, carnal (and maybe demonic) 'feelings'.  So don't come to me with your 'feelings' unless you have first considered how those feelings line up with the Spirit of God. Some might say, "That is cold."  I say that it is necessary, and it is how I approach even my own 'feelings'.

Overcoming Lust

"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Hebrews 11:25

A compilation of messages from various ministers on how to overcome lust.

Lust is never satisfied and giving in to it only feeds lust, making it bigger and making you a slave to it.

"Temptation is not sin...but the second look is."

There is a difference between worldly sorrow and Godly sorrow.

Worldly sorrow focuses on you: What is the consequence of my sin? Will I be judged? Will I go to Hell?

Godly sorrow focuses on God and says "I have sinned against the heart of the one I love so much."

The Fear of God Has Been Lost

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." Psalm 111:10

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10

The following is a compilation of sermons from Ministers Carter Conlon, Zac Poonen, Paul Washer, Art Katz, Leonard Ravenhill, David Wilkerson, and others.

It addresses the questions of: What has happened to the fear of God in the church?   What does it mean to fear God?  What are the results of not fearing God?

As Pastor Conlon says, "This [a proper fear of God] is where we move towards truth or we cover our own selves with the garment of religion."

I Will Wait For You

A woman asked me recently whether I believe that it is God who joins people together in marriage.  I stated that I do, because that is expressly what God says in His word (Matthew 19:6).  "Why then" she wondered, "are there so many divorces in Christian marriages?"

I believe this is largely due to the fact that people rarely consider or seek God's plan for their lives.  It is enough for me to just profess faith in Christ, but then go on living my life the way that I want to live it.

While it should be God who joins people together, it is common for people to run off and simply do what is right in their own eyes.  If we do not follow God's plan, then we have no greater assurance of success for our efforts than does one who is not saved.  When it comes to marriage, just like many other subjects, those 'in the church' often have the same mindset as in the world.

So when trials come - the "for worse, in sickness, for poorer" times - our true colors come shining through.  We can talk about waiting on God for marriage, but what about waiting on God after marriage?  Do we trust Him to work out any issues?  Do we consider Him faithful to continue molding our spouses (and ourselves) into His image, even through our experiences in life?  Do we actually believe that it is God who joined us together (as we professed) or do we simply conclude that we (and God) made a mistake?  Faith in God will compel us to prayer and motivate us to patiently wait on God, even when marriages hit hard times.  If our level of commitment in marriage ends at the point where "I" am being put out, then we have never understood the covenant of marriage to begin with.

A friend shared with me last year:  "Most people who get married are 2 ticks, each assuming the other is a dog. Their intention is to take, take, take...and when the well runs dry, they say, 'We just don't love each other anymore.' No marriage will last or be truly happy without a continuous pattern of selflessness."

Is You Is Or Is You Ain't?

Being Baptized with the Holy Ghost AND Fire

There used to be a song called, "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby" where a man laments being in love with a woman who seems ambivalent about his affection.  The lyrics are in part:

Is you is or is you ain't my baby?
The way you're actin' lately makes me doubt
Yous is still my baby-baby
Seems my flame in your heart's done gone out

The woman is saying all of the right words, but her actions (and maybe her inaction) lead him to think that her professed sentiments just aren't true.

This is the same issue that Jesus takes up with the last days church of Laodicea. 

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." Revelation 3:15-16

What is causing the Church to no longer be "hot"?  They have lost that holy fire of God.  They have no passion or zeal for Jesus Christ.  As Jesus puts it, they have become lukewarm or tepid.  Because iniquity abounds, the love of many has simply gone cold (Matthew 24:12).